Photographer's Note

Bula! (Bula, or Mbula, is the fijian world used for "greetings", and the fijians says it a lot!)

This is Namenalala, the beautiful private island of Moody's Namena Resort, a 110 acre dragon-shaped piece of paradise in the Northern group of Fiji's Archipelago, in the Sea of Koro.
This excellent resort has just 6 bures (bungalows) and no eletric energy, but gas lamps and the most romantic atmosphére.
I took this picture from my bure, and where from I hadn´t any other bure in my view, so I felt like a Robinson Crusoe, a lucky Robinson, of course!
The scuba diving around was absolutely great, and also the snorkeling in the little wall just at the end of this corals, meeting some white tip reef sharks every late afternoon. We did some night snorkeling as well, when we also saw them. Its nice to see sharks at night, and funny how we feel when they left and we don´t see them anymore! Unforgetable moments!
Tom and Joan Moody built this resort and they run its business with a friendly staff. Well, the fijians are maybe the most friendly people in the world!
We arrived at the island by boat and we left by seaplane.
I am happy to have this photo today scanned, and now posted, since this is one of my favorites places in the world and I keep dreaming to be back one day to my private paradise.
BULA!
Zeca
All Rights Reserved: Zeca Hauer Copyright. Use in any form is forbiden without the written permission of the photographer.

What a pleasure to have just come online just as your magnificent shot rolls in. I am spending only two minutes on TE, but I am very happy to be one of the first TE-members to see this lovely image, shot over 10 years ago, and complemented by a highly informative note.

Ola Jose,
Thank you for sharing this piece of paradise from Fiji, looks like is quite a unspoiled heaven!
I loved the pov very much especially under the beautiful sunlight! also beautiful contrast as well
well done
my warmest regards
Tony

Hallo Zeca!
What a sight! Yes, this truly is a dream. Your wonderful picture with its skillful composition has a very good depth and this view along the palm "decorated" beach nearly is breathaking - especially when looking out of my window...
Greetings from Germany with some fresh snow this night!
Frank

Dear Jose,
I last went to Fiji, forty years ago, this image is just how I remember it, beautiful white sand, cobalt blue water and the lush green vegetation lining the shoreline. Those coral lagoons are simply magic.
Superb image.
Cheers
Peter

Hi Jose
Every since I met my year nine geography teacher I've wanted to go to Fiji. She was so passionnate about the place. It'd be useful to my work if I did go too.
Your composition is nicely balanced giving good space to vegetation, coral, sea and sky. The branches top corner give extra punch and the people in the water add scale. There's like a blue rectangle underneath the clouds. What is it ?
Regards
Nikki

Ooooh, how nice! That's a place to dream of, especially since we had snow this morning. I love this POV with beautiful light, colours and details. Beautiful contrast between the water and the beach. Great work!

Hi Jose, Wonderfully photographed piece of work, the foreground is very nice with the trees entering from the right, the beach looks delightful & very welcoming with gorgeous light shining down & the people add great scale, TFS, kind regards Wilson.

Olá José,
one of those unique places most of us can only dream of. It might be still on Earth, but only one inch away from Paradise! Striking angle, wonderful colors, perfect presentation. TFS! Have a good day, my friend. I'll be seeing you.
Fulvio.

This is a well taken image of a beautiful place. Your bure provided you with an excellent POV so you could make full use of the shoreline to lead the eye into the image. You also framed it well with the foloage on the right side for added depth.
Kath

Good morning Jose. I think its one thing to see a beach like this in your photo gallery, and quite another to actually be there. A very attractive beach shoreline indeed. And only two people on the beach. Very nice photo Jose.
On a side note I noticed you listed your EFS 18-55 lens with (error 99). I laughed when I saw that listed...been there done that. I like your survival kit listing and was wondering whether you have the desire to upgrade to the Mark II or would be happy with the 40D or 50D?
Thanks for sharing.

Beautiful color contrasts in this picture of paradise. A wonderful landscape giving a taste of the holidays that will happen very fast... I would like to be in place for two people in the water so clear. Thank you José.

Ola Jose
If this is not paradise, then what is! From your high POV, it's great to see the parallel colours of the sand, the lagoon & the deep blue of the sea, with the hills rising up on the right. The tiny people help us understand the scale. Wonderful!
Best Regards
Angshu

WOW! What a place! Seems it's really a paradise! I can imagine atmosphere there, without electricity, somewhere at the end of the world...It must have been an amazing feeling to spend time in such place.

Ola Zeca
I was away for a while... so i have many pictures to check now!
Nice quality here, with special mention for the colors.
The coconut trees down there and the people too gives the scale.. and it seems to be a large beach!
Greetings
LAurent